One year ago, the Director’s Office of Equity and Tribal Affairs (ETA) was established to help bolster the work the department is doing to make our transportation system truly serve all Californians. For the last 12 months, the ETA Office has been working to improve tribal contracting, enhance engagement, hosted a listening session, and continues to facilitate the Native American Advisory Committee and the interagency Equity Advisory Committee. As we grow past this first milestone, we welcome the Office of Transportation, Equity and Community Engagement (OTECE) into our office. The move of OTECE from the Division of Transportation Planning to our office aligns with our aim to advance Caltrans’ people first and collaboration values. The OTECE team is leading the development of new tools, resources, and guidance to ensure engagement with community members and partners happens early, often, and throughout the lifecycle of Caltrans projects.

As we reflect on the establishment of our office and the work that we hope to accomplish, we deeply understand that everyone has an important role to play in advancing Caltrans' mission of a thriving California. We reflect on all the fallen workers who lost their lives in pursuit of this mission. Honoring their service is important which is why we invite you to join one of the Workers Memorial events happening across the state this month (see details below).

Pictured: ETA staff in November 2024.

Nailah Pope-Harden 

Deputy Director, Director’s Office of Equity & Tribal Affairs 

District 11: Intentional Community Engagement Field Trips

Over the last two years, District 11 implemented an intentional engagement strategy to put people first and build trust with communities they serve. They have organized several field trips for 100+ supervisory and managerial staff to walk, ride the light rail trolley, and take bus rapid transit to historically underserved communities and meet with community groups to directly experience their perspectives. D11 staff walked around the Portside and Barrio Logan neighborhoods to gain an understating of gentrification and walkability. D11 staff learned about cultural storytelling and small business economic development through art along the future Imperial Avenue Bikeway. These actions expand our understanding of Caltrans' impact and ability to create change.  Pictured: District 11 Super Staff Field Trips in November 2024.

Native American Advisory Committee (NAAC)

Orvall Elliott Jr. 

Hopland Band of Pomo Indians

📍Caltrans District 1

Orvall began working as a young man in construction. Ten years ago, he had the opportunity to become his Tribe’s Transportation Coordinator. He stayed in that position for approximately three years before being promoted to Tribal Roads and Transportation Director. 

He enjoys bringing information in connection to funding to share with all the Tribes in his area. Orvall represents the needs of the people who reside on his reservation. He began serving on the NAAC in 2018 and is currently on his 3rd term. 

Martha Armas-Kelly

Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton

📍Caltrans District 10

Martha is dedicated to equity through both actions and words. Martha is serving her second term with the Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) as Chairperson. She believes transportation is key to sustainability, enabling safety, employment access, and more.

Living in the Central Valley, she understands regional transportation challenges, especially in areas with limited options. Mobility issues hinder access to essential resources and opportunities, worsening existing inequities. Martha aims to ensure transportation solutions are equitable and accessible to foster a more inclusive future. 

Tune into what our team is reading and listening to this month!